Wharfedale get any respect round here?

Quote:
Hi overboosted,


I use the Diamond 8.1s as back surrounds for my 7.1 system which is all Wharfedale (rest is Pacific). They work fine as surrounds, of course, but i've also tried them as LR stereo and didn't find them to be laid back at all. I thought they had extremely good voice reproduction, with a little bit truncated high frequency at the very extreme (20 K) but a tad on the bright side compared to the Pacifics.


They would most definitely need a sub; there's absolutely nothing under 50 (as expected) and i would cross them over at least @ 80.


Depending on price level (i paid $100) i would highly recommend them but don't pay more than $150 for 8.1s or $200 for 8.2s. You can also try auctions but, of course, with the usual caveats.

Been having a really bad experience with Wharfedale the Company, lately.


I've been trying for six months to audition the Opus 2 (or also known as the Evolution Opus 60) speakers. Neither of the two local dealers stocks them. Will only order them ....unheard.


Finally, I came across a Dealer in another state........Four and a Half hours away. So I went there.....4 and a half hours to get there, and four and a half hours back. Guy tells me he sells dozens of the Opus speakers, most of them in Glossy Black (remember this claim by the dealer).


This whole time (the last 6 months) I've been told that all finishes were available. First I wanted the Glossy Maple, then I changed my mind and wanted the Glossy Black Piano finish.


Just a few days before I'm set to leave for the audition, I call IAG to ask about available finishes. They tell me there is no Glossy Black, and that (Glossy Black) finish was never available in the USA. Huh? Odd, how does a dealer sell "dozens" of them, if they were never available in the USA?


As a default, I stated I would like to take a look at the glossy Rosewood. Still, I was told "all finishes are available, except the Glossy Black"......by IAG (Wharfedale) and the dealer. But no way I was buying these speakers from this dealer...if in fact I decided to go with the Opus 2.


I rather enjoyed the Opus 2's sound and was impressed. But the dealer tells me that not only is the Glossy Black no longer available, neither is the Glossy Rosewood. Huh?


Then, I get back home and the next day I find out that NO GLOSSY finishes are available....not even the Maple Glossy.


Now, the only finishes available are the Maple and Rosewood, in what they call a matt finish.


So we went from All finishes available......Glossy in Rosewood, Black and Maple. And Rosewood, Black and Maple in matt finish.


In matter of one month, ....nothing but Maple and Rosewood matt finish. .


I'm completely aggravated with the Dealers and IAG, so I e-mail IAG of the UK to see if there's any honesty or sanity out there. This was back on June 27th-28th.......still waiting for a definitive word on the issue.


Although, I did recieve three e-mails from a woman at IAG of the UK, who claims she is looking into the situation for me.


I'm about to run out of patience.


I will say though, that I purchased my Quad 22L Speakers (In Yew finish), from a completely different dealer and it was a very pleasant experience. No nonsense...no BS. They told me the Yew finish was in stock, I ordered them with the dealer, they came in...and I picked them up. No problems. Dealer's a nice guy.


I love the sound of my Quad 22L......very nice! The finish is beautiful.

I exchanged a few more e-mails with the woman from the IAG UK division, today. Still no answers or explanations.


I'm waiting now for more than two weeks. Not to mention all the effort, time, travel and research I put into auditioning the Opus 2 ...over the last six months.


She politely suggested that I also contact their Head Office in China. Which I did.


I have asked the questions:


" .... how can IAG of America tell me for 5 months that all finishes are available (including the Glossy Piano Black), and then tell me one month ago, that the Glossy Piano Black was never available in the United States? How can a dealer claim he has sold "dozens" of the Opus speakers in Glossy Piano Black, when IAG of America ...now claims....they were never available here in the United States...to begin with? What's the truth?


Can I order a pair of Opus 2 in Glossy Piano Black? As well as the Opus Center Channel and Opus Tri-Surround Speakers....in Glossy Piano Black? "


Still no answers.


This is pathetic.

I'm very pleased to say, that all this confusion with Wharfedale has been cleared up.


Finally, I was put in contact with the right person and he has assured me I can order my Opus 2 speakers in Glossy Piano Black.


I don't know what the problem was, but a representitive of Wharfedale has stepped to the plate on this issue.


So I'm a happy guy.


Although, I suspect I know what the problem with the Dealer is.